'Outclassed' - Twitter rejoices as Birmingham Phoenix defeat Southern Brave by a massive 53 runs in The Hundred on back of first-ever century in the format

The eighth match of The Hundred 2022 brought the first ever century to the format. It was also a game where Birmingham Phoenix put the marker on all the other teams.

They defeated last season’s champions Southern Brave by a massive 53 runs in their second match of the tournament. After winning the toss, the Southern Brave opted to bowl first and asked the BPH to start the batting.

The BPH team got off to a good start with both openers starting well. Chris Benjamin was dismissed at the team score of 31 but the other batter Will Smeed came up with a historic performance. In just 50 deliveries, the 20-year-old smashed 101 runs to make the first-ever century of The Hundred.

The Cambridge-born batter hit eight boundaries and six sixes to reach to the milestone with a strike rate of 202. Captain Moeen Ali could not deliver with the bat as he scored just 17 whereas Liam Livingstone could only muster 21 off of 20. With the help of Smeed’s hundred, BPH were able to reach 176/4.

SOB got off decently but soon started losing wickets and imploded under BPH’s pressure. Alex Davis was the higher scorer for the SOB team having made 33 runs off of 24 balls. Kane Richardson broke SOB’s back with three wickets but it was the youngster Henry Brookes who came up with a five-wicket haul to see away the title holders.

SOB with poor batting could only reach 123 at the end and lost the match by a massive 53 runs. They were sent packing in just 85 balls. With this win, BPH move to third on the table with two points in two matches. SOB on the other hand fall to sixth with two points in two matches but a poor net run rate of -0.211. BPH have a net run rate of +1.122 thanks to their massive win in this match.

Twitter was buzzing having witnessed the first century of the format. Let's look at some of the reactions from Twitter.

Will Smeed, Hundred history-maker! 💯https://t.co/1Fm1oe3plY | #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/7qLsvQUyJI

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 10, 2022

🧡 Birmingham Phoenix WIN 🧡

And the home fans loved it!#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/VVINCmOrAC

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 10, 2022

I think we've found the world's biggest Birmingham Phoenix fan 🧡#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/UDTQ3Fohsn

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 10, 2022

20-year-old Will Smeed and 22-year-old Henry Brookes - the young Phoenixes are rising 🔥#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/yDHNraxI5o

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 10, 2022

4 A* at A Level - Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics
1st EVER Hundred hundred

Save some for the rest of us Will Smeed#BBCCricket #bbchundred #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/JBXZcILhMo

— Georgie Heath (@GeorgieHeath27) August 10, 2022

Birmingham Phoenix won by 53 Runs. Fabulous Knock. Take a Bow @will_smeed 101*(50). What a Spell. Take a Bow Henry Brookes 5/25.#TheHundred

— JaayShaan (Shankar) (@JaayShaan) August 11, 2022

First Hundred in 'THE HUNDRED' Comes up, Will Smeed a history maker what a magnificent stuff from this 20 years old Youngster.#TheHundred #BirminghamPhoenix #WillSmeed pic.twitter.com/mqqDvuyM5z

— Resanth. (@CricResanth) August 11, 2022